Numbering machine



June 5,1928. v 1,672,392

J. H. REINHARDT NUMBERING MACHINE Filed Oct. 23, 192s 2 2s a INVENTOR- 7 H A Q. ATTORNEY Patented June 5, 1928.

UNIT-ED arres' -rnrsur OFFICE.

JAMES HHREINHARDT, OF EAST ORANGE,

- immamime incur-ma Y A pplicati onflled october 23,:1926; Serial 'No. 143,534.

,My invention relates to improvements in numbering machines I known as the typegraphical or type-high class usually inserted in chases or forms .in printing presses, whereby consecutive numbering of printed sheets will be made for successive I impressions.

One of the objects otmy' invention is to chine embodyingmy invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a section on line .3, 3, in Fig.1; Fig. 1 is a plan view with parts omitted; .Fig. '5 is a detail of the push pawls in wheel operating position;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detail of Fig.5, illustrating a difierentposition of the push pawls;

Fig. 7 is a detail underside view; I Fig.8 is a sectiononlineS, 8, inFig. 2; Fig. 9 is a detail of the spacer forthe wheels; and r Fig. 10 is a detail oiia-tool adapted-to be used in conjunction with the machine,

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding part-s inthe several views.

At 1 is indicated the main'frame'of-the numbering machine comprising abasepor:

' tion 2 having-end supports oruprightsl3, 4r

spaced apart. At 5 is a plunger having av bore 6 slidable on a tubular guide? shown supported in the frame 1 adjacent to the upright 4:. The guide 7 .maybein the form of a rectangular,tube-secured bysolder or otherwise to the upright 4, and the bore 6 of the plunger will be rectangular to correspond. A shaft 8isshowni--suppotted5in=the upright *3 and m ths guide '7 upon which shaft numbering wheels 9 are rotatively ing drawings forming apart hereof, where- Fig. 1 is a plan view of anumberingma- *in cap 16 mounted, said wheels having numeral or oth'er'type suitably disposedupon their p6.

ripheries in a Well known way. The plunger 5 has a slot '5 receiving the shaft 8. A screw 8 carried by upright'3 engages shaft 8 to detachably retain it. 'Within the bore .7 or ans? is located a spiral spring 10, the lower end of which rests against a stop gshow'n inthe form of astaple 11, the legs ofwhiclimay Ibeslid through holes 12, 13 in .theupright 4 and the guide-7 to oppose and resist the spring. The lower part of the upright 4,is.shoWn provided with a recess 4 in its'oute'r portion, within whichthe outer end or head. ofithe. stop or staple 11 may be insertingia tool into the recess Pto'engage the outer end of stopor staple 11 the latter may be withdrawn to permit the removal and replacement of spring'lO respecting bore.7of:guide 7. .The upper or outer end of spring 10 is provided with a pin 14 shown having a cone-like or. tapering outer end at 14. to enter a hole15 in the outer end of head or cap 16. ofxplunger'5,.a'nd by pro :tru'ding through said hole the end-portion of the in 14 willenter a recess 17 inthe undersurgice of the type block 18, (Fig. 3). I block 18 has beveled sides 18 slidably guided for ..replacement in .a transverse .undercutgroove 19 in the outer-surface of The the outer end ofhead orlcap 16 of the plunger. 1 There may betwo of such grooves .l9disposedat'right angles to eachother and inter-communicating when the head or cap 16 isremoved from the plunger 5', The cap .is shown'secured to the plunger 5 I by screw threads a520, (Fig. 3). Byrotatingthelhead or cap 16 its position respect- .ing the plunger 5'may be adjustably varied to accommodate required type high conditions= respecting theprinting surfaces of the numbering wheels, and in such case the block 18'may he slid out of one of the grooves 19 and replacedin the other groove,

toaccommodate the position offcap 16 when rotated on the plunger for "printing the character iNo., or any-other desired characteron the .block,.in proper.printingline. spring-5' carried bythe plunger 5 at-5" is adapted .to engage either of fourslots 16 to retain the latter in printing alignment. When the bl0ck18is-to be inlocated, within the outer surface of the upr ght/i, so as not to'interfere with the location of the machine in aprinting chase. By

serted in a" groove 19 it is merely necessary push pawls are. located holdfast pawls to push it along the groove until the'pin 14 is pressed by spring 10 into the recess '17 of the block to retain the latter detaehably on the cap or head of the plunger, and when it is desired to remove the block 18 it may be pushed lengthwise outwardly since the tapering or cone-like surface 14 of the pin will cause the latter to be pushed back against the tension of the spring. A screw at 21 is shown carried by the plunger 5 and is adapted to engage the shaft or rod. 8 to limit the outward movement of the plunger by spring lO-when the latter pushes the pin 14 against the cap or head 16 of the plung er. By adjustment-ofsaid screw the outward movement of the plunger by the spring may be controlled for regulating the extent of projection outwardly. of the'printing surface of the block 18 respecting the printing surfaces of the type wheels 9. A recess 4" in'the outer end of upright 4 receives the corresponding portionof plunger 5 when the latter is pushedback during printing.

To each of the numbering wheels 9 is [secured a ratchet wheel 22 havinga number of teeth corresponding to the type. on the ,peripheries ofthe numberingwvheels and a recess 22 in an ordinary way for rotating" the numbering wheels. Push pawls are indicated at 2 3 for operatingratchetwheels 22, (Figs. 5, 6 and 8). A swinging pawl frame 24'is journaled upon the shaft Sand depends Wltll respect to the numbering wheels and ratchet wheels in an ordinary way to be operated bythe plunger 5, as by a pin 25" carried by the plunger operative'in a slot/26 in one arm of the lever, 8). The push pawls 23 are shown connected together by a member 23 and provided with bearings, shown in the form of lugs 23,

journaled upona rod 27 carried by .the

frame 24, so that the push pawls may slide along the rod, (Figs. 5, 6 and 8). AA coil spring 28 upon the rod 27 bears atone end against a stop 29on the rod, which may be' in the form of 'a pin or screw, (Fig. 5),

and at the other end said spring bears against the member' 23 of the push pawls (to normally press the latter into cooperation with theratchet wheels 22, (Fig. 5). .The pushpawls operate freely between the arms 24 and 24 of frame 24 when'the push pawls are in cooperation with the ratchet wheels that are between said arms. The

push pawls maybe withdrawn from theratchetwheels by swinging the pawls outwardly, hand then the push pawls may he .slid along the rod 27 so that the unit pawl 23, will overlie and engage the arm 24 of frame 24 to retain the push pawls out of engagement with the ratchet wheels, (Fig. 6), so thatv the latter may be manually rotated reversely.

On the side of the machine opposite the adapted to engage the ratchet wheels 22 to resist reverse rotation of the latter, whereby when the holdfast pawls and the push pawls both engage the ratchet wheels on opposite sides the latter will be firmly held with the type in printing position, and each time the plunger is pressed inwardly during a printing stroke the frame 24 will be pushed downwardlywith its push pawls, whereby the latter may engage appropriate teeth of theratchet wheels for rotating the numbering wheels a space of onetooth 'on the ratchet wheel during the outward-movement of the plunger by means of spring 10 after an impression has been made. The holdfast pawls 30 are journaled upon a rod 31 that is carried by a frame 32 that is journaled upon a rod 33 carried by the main frame 1 in a direction parallelwith shaft 8, whereby the frame32 with the 'holdfast pawls may be swung away from the ratchet wheels engage the frame 32 to limit the forward movement of the pawls when frame 32 is swung away from the ratchet wheels, (Fig. 8). The frame 32 is shown provided with a block-like portion 32 one' end of which is normally located adjacent to the upright 4, when the holdfast pawls engage the ratchetwheels, and means are pro'vided'to retain the frame 32 in the last named position during operation of the machine. 1 have shown theblock-like portion 32 provided with a locking pin 35 slida-ble in a bore 36 in said block, said pin being shown provided with a projection 37 operative in a slot 38 in block 32, which "pin. 35 is adapted to enter a recess or hole 39 in upright 4 for locking the frame 32 in operative position. A spring 40 in bore '36 bears against the metal at one end of the bore and against pin 35 to normally push said pin toward. upright'4, the projection 37 by engaging the metal at the appropriate end of slot 38 controlling the thrust of pin 35 by spring 40. A beveledor inclined surface at 41 on upright 4 permits the exposed end of pin 35 to ride freely towardrthe hole 39 when frame 32 is swung toward frame 1.

To more rigidly hold-the frame 32 I provide a screw 32 carried by upright 3 to engage the frame 32, (Fig.2).

The space along theshaft-8, between the arms of frame 24, is longer than the width of the numbering wheels and ratchets when assembled for operation, so that said wheels may be made free from contact with each other to permit the insertion of a tool therebetween for cleaning the contiguous surfaces of the numbering wheels and ratchets, (Fig. 3). I provide a spacer 42, sh'ownin the form of a thin piece'of metal, substantially in the nature of a shim, adapted to be inserted and retained between the arm 24 f of frame 24 and the ad acent ratchet wheel 22, such spacer being of such th ckness as to suitably fill the space between the arm 24* and said ratchet wheel to causethe numbering wheels and the ratchet wheels to fit snugly and rotatively together for" the printing operation. The spacer 42 is shown providbering wheels may be rotated when the push pawls and the holdfa st pawls have been ed with recess 42* in its undersurface, (Figs. 8 and 9), to receive the shaft 8 for desired insertion and removal of the spacer. Means are provided for detachably. retaining the spacer 42 in position, for which purpose I have shown the spacer provided with a'projection or lug .42", extending at right angles to the spacer, for location over the outer end of upright 3, to which latter the projection 42* may be secured. I have shown the'pro-' jection 42 provided with a'slot at 42 to receive the screw 8, (Fig. 1). WV-hen the screw is secured upon the projection 42 the spacer will be retained in position between the arm 24 and the adjacentratchet wheel 22, so that the numbering wheelswill be retained in operative position onshaft 8 and may freely revolvefor consecutive numbering. 'VVhen it is desired'to clean the numbering wheels and adjoining ratchet the screw 8 is released from the projection 42 and the spacer or shim 4;2'ispulled out of the machine, thereby providing for space be tween the numbering wheels and ratchets for the insertion between the latter of a suitable tool for cleaning out the'surfaces be-' tween the wheels. In .Fig. 10 'I' have illus trated a relatively thin tool 43 having a slot 14: at one end, which maybe in serted in' the space between anumbering wheel and a ratchet, whereby the tool may be rocked back and forth. The numand the holdfast pawls from operative position respecting the ratchet wheels,- sot-hat thelnum'eral type :on the numbering wheels serted aand removed'and willbe retained for printing purposes by "means of the spring 10 and'ipin 14,-the numbering wheels may be made :free for'manual rotation in opposite directions, by first shi'ftingt-he push pawl:

maybe readily set'in either direction, and j by removal of the spacer or shim 42 the numbering :wheels are free to permit the insert-ion ofatool therebetween for cleaning the surfaces between the wheels. Heretofore the numbering'wheels, so far as I amaware, have notvbeen mounted for longitudinal movementialong their supporting shaft, to

enable a tool to be inserted between the wheels for cleaning them, a disadvantage having been that the :spaces between the wheels became clogged with foreign matter rendering the wheels uncertainof consecutive rotation, and requiring considerable time and expense in cleaning the machine because it-was necessary to dismantle theparts 'to clean and replace them, "whereasin my improvement dismantling of the parts for such purpose is notnecessaryand considerable time and expense is-saved in keeping the machines in' desired working order.

invention .is' cheap to manufacture, efficient In operation and not liable to-get out of/order. Changes may be made iii-the details of construction and relative arrangement of parts set forth, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing rfrom'the spirit ofzmy invention.

Having now described my invention what I claimis 1. A numbering machine of the class specified comprising a .franiezhaving a tubular ,guide,a springi-n said 'guide'provided .with .a pin having a tapering outer end, a plunger'o'perative along said-guide andv provided with a head havinga 'hole receiving said p'in, said head havingian outer guide;

a removable block .fitted to the guide and provided with a recess to engage the projecting end 'ofthe. pin, and' a" stop extending springi 2. A numbering'm'achine as set forth in claim 1, in which the frame'is provided with a transverse ,holeslidably receiving the stop, whereby when the stop'is pulled out of'the frame the spring with its pin maybe removed from the. guide.

3. A'numbering machine asset forth in .across. the bore of the guide to oppose the claiml, in whichtheframe is provided with 'transverseiholes' and-the stop is in the form I of a staple havingzits legs locatedin saidholes to-oppose the spring, the frame being provided withra'recessreceiving the head of. "the stop.

4. A numbering machine 'of the class specified comprising a framepprovided with pawl frame pivotally supported, push pawls I a shaft, numbering wheels and ratchets attached thereto journaled upon the shaft, a

pivotally carried by said frame and slidably supported thereon for movement relatively to the ratchet wheels, one of said push pawls being adapted to engage a member to retain the push pawls outof engagement with the ratchet wheels-when the push pawls are slid relatively thereto, a plunger, and means for operating the frame by the plunger.

5. A numbering machine as set forthin claim 4;, in which the push pawl is adapted to operate adjacent to an arm of the pawl frame for operating the ratchets, said push pawl being in position-to engage said arm when thepush pawls have been removed from the ratchet wheels and slid relatively thereto for engagement of said pawl with said arm for retaining the push pawls out of engagement with the ratchet wheels.

6. A numbering machine as set forth in claim 4, in which the pawl frame is provided with a rod and the push pawls are provided with a member slidably supported upon the rod, the frame having spaced arms between which the wheels and the push pawls are adapted to operate, one of said pawls being located in position to engage an arm of the pawl frame when the push.

pawls have been slid relatively to the wheels to retain said pawls out of engagement therewith.

7. A numbering machine of the class specified comprising a frame provided with a shaft, numbering wheels and ratchets attached thereto journaled upon the shaft, a frame journaled in the first named frame at one side of the numbering wheels, holdfast pawls journaled upon the second frame for engagement with the ratchets, springs cooperative between the last named frame and said pawls, and means to. detachably retain said frame with the holdfast pawls in relatiog to the ratchets for cooperation therewiti. i I

8. A numbering machine as set forth in claim 7, in which the second named frame is provided with a block having a bore, a pin slidable in the bore, a spring to operate the pin, the pin having a projection for its operation', and the firstv named frame having means cooperative with the pin for detachably retaining the second named frame with the holdfast pawls in cooperative relation to the ratchet wheels.

9. A numbering machine asset forth in claim 7. in which the second'named frame is provided with a rod, the holdfast pawls being pivotally supported on said rod,

springs carriedby said rod and cooperativewith said pawls, and means cooperative with the springs for resiliently pressing the pawls against the ratchet wheels.

10. A numbering machine as set forth in claim 7, in which thefirst namedframe is provided with a rod, the second named frame being pivotallysupported upon Said trod-and provided with a rod, the holdfast pawls being pivotally supported upon said last named rod, springs carried by said rod and. cooperative with said pawls, said springs having portions cooperative with said first named rod for resiliently pressing the holdfast pawls against the ratchet wheels.

11. A numbering machine of the class specified comprising a frame provided with a shaft, numbering wheels and ratchets rotatively mounted upon the shaft, means for rotating said wheels for printing consecutive numbers. said wheels being slidably mounted upon said shaft to permit insertion of a to l between the wheels for cleaning their contiguous surfaces, a spacer adapted to be in: serted between oneof the wheels and an adjacent portion of the machine for retaining the wheels in normal printing relation, and means for detachably retaining said spacer, whereby when the spacer is removed the wheels may move away from one another to permit insertion. ofthe tool therebetween for cleaning them.

12. A numbering machine as set forth in claim 11, in which the spacer is provided with a recess to receive said shaft.

- 13. A numbering machine as set forth in claim 11, in which the spacer is provided with a projection and the frame is provided with a. screw for detachably retaining the projection. I v

'14. A numbering machine of the class a shaft, numbering wheels and ratchet wheels rotatively mounted upon the shaft, a pawl frame journaled upon the shaft and provided with push pawls to operate the ratchet wheels, said pawl frame having arms located on opposite sides of the wheels and spaced apart, the'length of the space between said arms being greater than the width of the wheels to permitmovement of the wheels longitudinally along the shaft, a spacer located between, one of said arms and an adjacent wheel for operatively retaining said wheels in normal spaced relation for printing, and means for detachably retaining said spacer, whereby when the spacer 18 re moved the wheels may move along the'shaft to provide spaces between the wheels to perk with said frame, means guiding said plunger for reciprocation, an adjustable stop 00- operative between the plunger and the shaft for controlling the outward movement of the plunger, and a spring cooperative be-' tween the plunger and the frame for m0ving the plunger outwardly, said stop determining the outward movement of the plunger by the spring.

16. A numbering machine as set forth in claim 15, in which the plunger is provided with aslot receiving the shaft and the stop is in the form of a screw carried by the plunger in position to engage the shaft to limit outward movement of the plunger.

17. A numbering machine of the class specified comprising a. frame having a guide a plunger operative along the guide and provided with a cap, screw threads, connecting the cap with the plunger for adjusting the cap for type high position, and a spring for normallypressing the plunger outwardly.

JAMES H. REINHARDT. 

